Pavida Pananond
Thammasat University teacher
Pavida Pananond, PhD, teaches International Business at Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University.
Challenges of a post-virus recovery
Picking up the pieces and preparing for the future after the economic and social ravages wrought by the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic cannot start soon enough. For Thailand and Southeast Asia more broadly, pre-pandemic imperatives of economic upgrading for higher value-added jobs and industries are now compounded by new Covid-induced dilemmas of rising unemployment and labour abundance. Addressing this double whammy of economic challenges requires policy responses that are nuanced, fair and forward-looking in trying to achieve multiple objectives after the virus subsides.
Tesco buyout gives CP undue power
The recent announcement by Charoen Pokphand group to buy Tesco's operations in Thailand and Malaysia marks the retreat of Western retailers' presence.
Finding a place for Thailand's SMEs
Thailand's economy appears both odd and contradictory. On one hand, it continues to expand in the 3% range, an appealing growth trend by international standards. On the other hand, cursory and anecdotal evidence suggests the Thai economy is mired in a prolonged malaise.
Global headwinds
The Thai economy, is not tanking, despite its political circles and dead ends. But it should be doing better than subpar, and it may be slowing into a sputter.
Trade war's impact
The hope is that Thailand can reap the windfall from relocation of China-based multinationals - but all Asean economies hope for the same gains.
Trade war comes home
Positive benefits can be expected for agribusiness in Thailand but negative, indirect consequences of the China-US tariff war will be strongly felt.
Global investment prospects
Prosperity from global economic integration was once a shared goal among advanced and emerging economies, but this can no longer be taken for granted.
Role reversal
Who saw this coming? After Prayut-Trump, it's Thailand that's helping the US - with big investments by Thai firms and Thai government purchases.
Beyond the rhetoric
Thailand 4.0 consists of cosmetic and superficial policy announcements when what is need is broad-based drive to enact institutional and policy reforms.
Exports 2.0
The natural ability of the economy to absorb coups isn't working this time, as military control can't deal with the changes from export-led growth.